At an extraordinary general meeting held on 23 April 2026, the German Association for Social and Cultural Anthropology (GASCA) adopted two resolutions addressing issues of international academic cooperation in contexts of systematic violations of international law. Both resolutions stem from intensive discussions amongst the members, which were further explored through a decision by the General Meeting on 2 October 2025 to organise a comprehensive series of events. In addition, a working group was established, whose members worked together in a spirit of trust despite holding differing positions. The members of this working group have committed to the Chatham House Rule, under which the substance of the group’s work may be communicated, but the names of the participants are not disclosed. The working group’s findings and the motions for resolutions arising from these discussions were debated at a further General Meeting on 19 January 2026. All members were given the opportunity to draft and submit proposed amendments or alternative motions for resolutions.
On 23 April 2026, the General Meeting adopted the following resolutions.
1. Resolution on international academic cooperation in contexts of systematic violations of international law
With this resolution, the GASCA emphasises that international cooperation is an indispensable part of academic practice; at the same time, however, it cannot be viewed in isolation from specific political and institutional frameworks. The resolution sets out guidelines for members, on the basis of which institutional collaborations – particularly with regard to possible involvement in practices contrary to international law – can be assessed. Individual academic collaboration remains expressly unaffected by this and is regarded as crucial, particularly with regard to academics at risk.
2. Resolution on the critical review of institutional cooperation with academic institutions in Israel/Palestine
Building on the guidelines set out in the first resolution, the General Assembly of the GASCA recommends that its members critically review institutional cooperation with Israeli universities and research institutions. This recommendation is based on documented systematic violations of international law, as well as on the structural links between Israeli academic institutions and state and military structures.
This recommendation relates exclusively to institutional cooperation. It does not in any way affect cooperation with academics in their personal capacity. Mere institutional affiliation cannot constitute grounds for terminating cooperation. It is noted that any suspension of cooperation should be conditional and subject to review should the underlying circumstances change.
The resolution emphasises solidarity with Palestinian academics who are forced to work under structurally restrictive conditions, as well as with Israeli academics who face repression due to their critical stances.
Statement by the Executive Board
The GASCA General Assembly has provided its members with guidelines for reviewing institutional collaborations – particularly with regard to possible involvement in practices that contravene international law. In light of systematic violations of international law and human rights in the Palestinian territories, a second resolution was adopted recommending that all members critically review institutional collaborations with Israeli universities and research institutions. It was emphasised that the comprehensive criteria set out in the first resolution for the critical assessment of institutional collaboration should also be applied in other contexts of systematic violations of international law.
Both resolutions are the result of a broad-based, democratic discussion process within the professional association. The Executive Board expressly thanks the members for their active participation in the discussion events organised and for the careful work of the working group, which, despite differing positions on the issues addressed, was characterised by mutual respect and constructive debate.
The Executive Board regards it as its duty to promote democratic processes within the professional association, particularly when controversial issues are under discussion that touch upon fundamental ethical, science-policy and societal dimensions.
The resolutions that have been adopted come at a time when, in Germany in particular, there are polarising social dynamics characterised by growing anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism. The GASCA condemns all killings of civilians, military aggression and violence, including the massacre of 7 October 2023 and all previous and subsequent acts of terrorism. The GASCA rejects anti-Semitism in all its forms just as resolutely as it rejects anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim racism (see statements of 17 November 2023, 12 February 2024 and 29 August 2024). Criticism of the current policies of the Israeli government and state institutions must not be equated with anti-Semitism if it reflects a commitment to universal human rights principles and international law.
On the other hand, particularly in Germany, the suspension of institutional cooperation raises legitimate concerns about collective attribution, exclusion and discrimination against individual academics. For this reason, both resolutions expressly distinguish between institutional cooperation and individual academic collaboration. The resolution on Israel/Palestine expressly protects personal academic networks, conference participation, employment, co-authorship and collaboration with Israeli researchers, and makes it clear that mere institutional affiliation does not constitute formal representation.
The resolution calls for active measures to support Palestinian and Israeli academics affected by repression, including Israeli institutions that take a stand against violations of international law, the denial of rights and the destruction of academic freedom. In light of the resolutions now presented, the GASCA Executive Committee calls on its members to strengthen individual cooperation with Israeli and Palestinian colleagues.
The Executive Board declares that it is bound by the decisions of the General Assembly and represents these externally, even though there are differing positions within the Executive Board on individual aspects of the resolutions.